Chelan PUD

What Chelan PUD does

Chelan County PUD (Public Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County) is a Washington State municipal utility operating as a vertically integrated electric, water, wastewater, and fiber optic service provider for Chelan County. The utility traces its origins to 1930 with development of the Rock Island Dam on the Columbia River—the first dam to span that river—and has expanded to own and operate three FERC-licensed hydroelectric projects: Rocky Reach Dam (1,349 MW, 11 generators), Rock Island Dam (629 MW, 19 generators across two powerhouses), and Lake Chelan Dam (59 MW, 2 generators), for an aggregate nameplate capacity of approximately 2,037 MW. Notable engineering assets include fish-friendly adjustable-blade turbines retrofitted across all Rocky Reach units (1995-2006), the first U.S. installation of horizontal bulb turbine generators at Rock Island's Second Powerhouse (1979), and the 2.2-mile Lake Chelan power tunnel with a nearly 350-foot vertical drop. Since 2018 Chelan PUD has run a digital twins platform at Rocky Reach in partnership with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory for predictive maintenance and scenario simulation.

Chelan PUD monetizes its infrastructure through regulated electric, water, and wastewater tariffs; fiber optic wholesale services to nine retail ISPs; surplus power sales into broader wholesale markets; and energy efficiency rebate programs (Residential, Resource$mart industrial, irrigation pump, and commercial). Pricing is published transparently: residential electric at 2.85¢/kWh plus a $17.60 monthly basic charge, primary industrial at 1.70¢/kWh plus a $3.80/kW demand charge, and dedicated high-density load (Rate 35) and data center (Rate 36) schedules including a market-indexed energy charge effective June 1, 2026. The utility also manages 17 parks covering 700+ acres, the Rocky Reach Discovery Center, and Public Power Benefit programs including a 25% low-income bill discount administered with Promise.

The go-to-market is a regulated direct-to-consumer model: physical service offices in Wenatchee, Chelan, and Leavenworth; online self-service via the Powerpay portal and The Current mobile app; phone-based customer service; and direct enterprise engagement for large-load and industrial prospects. Segments served include residential, commercial, agricultural (notably irrigation pump optimization), industrial, and cryptocurrency/data center customers within a single operating geography. Ownership is public (ratepayer-owned under an elected Board of Commissioners); the entity is not listed and does not raise private capital, though an unrelated CHELAN 790, LLC filed a Form D exempt offering for $790,000 in May 2022.

Name

Chelan PUD

Legal name

Chelan County PUD

Website

https://chelanpud.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Chelan PUD is a Washington State municipal utility generating hydroelectric power at three Columbia River and Lake Chelan dams (~2,037 MW) and providing electricity, water, wastewater, and wholesale fiber optic services to residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, and data center customers in Chelan County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Utility Services (Electric, Water, Wastewater, Fiber)

NAICS

Hydroelectric Power Generation (221111), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Generation (22111), Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132), Sewage Treatment Facilities (221320)

SIC

Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991), Water Supply (4941), Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)

akta.pro primary industry

Retail Electric Providers / Competitive Distribution Utilities (where applicable) (EUADABAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Utility-Scale Generator PPAs (Project Offtake) (EUAGADAB)

Keywords

• Electric utility services
• Hydroelectric power generation
• Fiber optic broadband infrastructure
• Municipal water distribution
• Wastewater treatment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Wenatchee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Electricity Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling electricity generated at three hydroelectric facilities (Rocky Reach, Rock Island, Lake Chelan) to residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial customers. Electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Revenue bond financing used for capital projects with costs repaid through future project revenues.
2. Fiber Optic Network Services: Chelan PUD owns and maintains fiber optic infrastructure throughout Chelan County communities. Revenue generated through partnership with multiple Internet Service Providers who offer retail internet services to end customers. PUD does not provide direct internet service but enables competition among ISPs.
3. Water and Wastewater Services: Municipal water distribution and wastewater collection services for residential customers with tiered pricing based on usage volume. Basic charges plus consumption-based rates for water; flat rate for wastewater.
4. Energy Conservation Rebate Programs: Revenue generated by selling surplus power not needed in Chelan County to other markets. Surplus sales generate revenue that helps keep local electric rates among the lowest in the country.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Chelan PUD is a municipal utility that generates and distributes renewable hydroelectric electricity, and also provides fiber optic broadband infrastructure, municipal water distribution, and wastewater collection to residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial customers in Chelan County, Washington. The utility operates three FERC-licensed hydroelectric projects (Rocky Reach Dam, Rock Island Dam, Lake Chelan Dam) and complements these with energy efficiency rebate programs and 17 community parks across 700+ acres.

Product overview

Chelan PUD is a public utility district providing a comprehensive suite of essential services including electric power generation from three hydroelectric projects (Rocky Reach Dam, Rock Island Dam, and Lake Chelan Dam), fiber optic internet, water, and wastewater services to Chelan County, Washington. The utility operates as a vertically integrated utility with core services encompassing power generation, transmission, and distribution alongside telecommunications infrastructure. Additional offerings include residential and commercial energy efficiency rebate programs, agricultural irrigation pump optimization, industrial efficiency initiatives, community assistance programs, and 17 parks/recreation facilities spanning 700+ acres. The utility's rates are among the lowest in the nation due to its hydropower generation capacity. Customers can access services through online portals including Powerpay for bill payment and can connect to multiple Internet Service Providers for fiber internet.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Powerpay: Online bill payment portal for Chelan PUD customers
• SNAP
• Resource$mart
• Rocky Reach Discovery Center
• The Current App

Products and services

• Electric Service Electric utility service providing power to residential, commercial, primary industrial, high-density/cryptocurrency, and data center customers throughout Chelan County, sourced from three FERC-licensed hydroelectric projects, with published tiered rate schedules and demand charges.
• Water Service Municipal water distribution and service for residential and commercial customers in Chelan County with tiered pricing based on usage volume.
• Wastewater Service Wastewater collection and treatment services for residential and commercial customers in Chelan County billed via a flat per-Equivalent Residential Unit charge.
• Fiber Optic Internet Infrastructure Ultra-fast fiber optic internet infrastructure deployed throughout Chelan County communities, providing wholesale connectivity to multiple Internet Service Provider partners (509Fiber, Advanced Stream, Fiopin, LocalTel & NWInternet, Native Network, NCI DataCom, NoaNet, Valley Smart Homes, Wenatchee Computer) who offer retail internet service to end customers.
• Street Lighting Service Public street lighting service for municipalities with county-wide LED conversion completed in 2018-2019, plus yard and area lighting offerings for residential and commercial properties.

Quantifiable outcome

• Electric rates among lowest in nation
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• PromisecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 3 June 2026Chelan PUD is partnering with Promise to administer the customer bill assistance program, which provides a 25% discount on monthly utility bills for eligible households. Promise provides the application platform for customers to apply for assistance.
• Douglas PUDmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Chelan, Douglas, and Grant PUDs in Washington state are considering a partnership to study geothermal energy potential in Central Washington, with each utility sharing an equal portion of the estimated $22 million cost. The proposed study would include geophysical surveys and below-ground research to address predicted energy shortfalls including a projected 5-gigawatt shortfall in Washington and Oregon by 2030.
• Grant PUDmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Chelan, Douglas, and Grant PUDs in Washington state are considering a partnership to study geothermal energy potential in Central Washington, with each utility sharing an equal portion of the estimated $22 million cost.
• Chelan-Douglas Community ActioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerChelan-Douglas Community Action provides in-person assistance completing the online bill assistance application and administers the Helping Hand program for low-income families.
• Washington State ParksmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChelan PUD partnered with Washington State Parks to operate four parks (Beebe Bridge, Daroga, Wenatchee Confluence, Lincoln Rock) more efficiently and create better visitor experiences, especially in campgrounds. State Parks uses Discover Pass for access.
• 509FibercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternet Service Provider offering fiber optic internet service to Chelan County residents and businesses over PUD-owned fiber infrastructure.
• Advanced StreamcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternet Service Provider offering fiber optic internet service to Chelan County residents and businesses over PUD-owned fiber infrastructure.
• FiopincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternet Service Provider offering fiber optic internet service to Chelan County residents and businesses over PUD-owned fiber infrastructure.
• LocalTel & NWInternetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternet Service Provider offering fiber optic internet service to Chelan County residents and businesses over PUD-owned fiber infrastructure.
• Native NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternet Service Provider offering fiber optic internet service to Chelan County residents and businesses over PUD-owned fiber infrastructure.
• NCI DataComcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternet Service Provider offering fiber optic internet service to Chelan County residents and businesses over PUD-owned fiber infrastructure.
• NoaNet Community BroadbandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternet Service Provider offering fiber optic internet service to Chelan County residents and businesses over PUD-owned fiber infrastructure.
• Valley Smart HomescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternet Service Provider offering fiber optic internet service to Chelan County residents and businesses over PUD-owned fiber infrastructure.
• Wenatchee ComputercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternet Service Provider offering fiber optic internet service to Chelan County residents and businesses over PUD-owned fiber infrastructure.
• Confederated Tribes of the Colville ReservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing Habitat Conservation Plans for Rocky Reach and Rock Island Hydro Projects, committing to 50-year program ensuring no net impact on salmon and steelhead runs.
• NOAA FisheriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal fisheries agency partner in developing Habitat Conservation Plans for Rocky Reach and Rock Island Hydro Projects.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal wildlife agency partner in developing Habitat Conservation Plans for Rocky Reach and Rock Island Hydro Projects.
• Washington State Department of Fish and WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState fisheries agency partner in developing Habitat Conservation Plans for Rocky Reach and Rock Island Hydro Projects.
• Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal partner in developing Habitat Conservation Plans for Rocky Reach and Rock Island Hydro Projects, committing to 50-year program ensuring no net impact on salmon and steelhead runs.
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)majorTechnology or IntegrationDOE-funded national laboratory partnering on Digital Twins for Hydropower Systems platform for Rocky Reach Dam to enable real-time monitoring, scenario simulation, and predictive maintenance.
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)majorTechnology or IntegrationDOE-funded national laboratory partnering on Digital Twins for Hydropower Systems platform for Rocky Reach Dam to enable real-time monitoring, scenario simulation, and predictive maintenance.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Douglas PUD: Neighboring Washington public utility district operating hydroelectric generation on the Columbia River. Directly comparable vertically integrated hydro-based PUD model and current geothermal co-study partner.
• Grant PUD: Washington PUD with major Columbia River hydropower (Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams). Closest peer in scale, generation mix, and customer profile, and active geothermal co-study partner with Chelan.
• Seattle City Light: Municipal hydro-based utility serving Seattle. Same public-power model and renewable generation mix, with broader urban customer base but overlapping regulatory and operational challenges.
• Tacoma Power: Tacoma Public Utilities' electric division, a municipal hydro generator serving Pierce County. Comparable vertically integrated utility with hydroelectric assets and multi-utility structure.
• Snohomish County PUD: Largest PUD in Washington serving Snohomish County with hydro and other generation. Comparable utility structure with overlapping service offerings (electric, water, fiber) in the Pacific Northwest.
• Clark Public Utilities: Washington PUD providing electric, water, and broadband services. Closely comparable in multi-utility municipal structure and customer mix, though generation mix is less hydro-dominant.
• Eugene Water & Electric Board: Oregon municipal utility offering electric and water services with hydro generation on the mid-Willamette. Similar consumer-owned utility model with renewable generation focus.
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD): Large California municipal utility with diverse renewable generation. Direct structural peer as a publicly owned, vertically integrated utility that also runs community programs and energy-efficiency rebates.

Broad incumbents

• Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP): Large municipal utility combining water and electric service with significant hydro assets. Broader geographic and customer scale but identical municipal-utility structure and hydropower mix.
• Bonneville Power Administration: Federal marketing agency for Columbia River hydropower serving the Pacific Northwest. Not a retail utility but directly comparable as a regional hydropower operator and counterparty in the same FERC-regulated ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/chelanpud
• YouTubeyoutube.com/ccpud
• Facebookfacebook.com/chelanpud

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chelan PUD